As some of you know, my friend Jo-Lynne hosts a "What I Learned This Week" series each Wednesday. While I will still link up to her Mr. Linky on Wednesday, I'm putting this post up tonight. For those of you who are wondering why I still haven't posted Acme and Giant deals this week, perhaps this post will help you understand.
So without further ado-ey things, here is what I learned this week:
1. I am stronger than I ever thought: My personal life and this website was the target of a concentrated effort by one of the most vicious groups on The Internets from Friday morning until mid-morning Saturday as a result of this post. (I'm not linking to them, but even Fox News has done pieces on their power and destructiveness). My personal information was broadcast throughout the internet, my banking information was compromised, phone calls were made to my husbands work accusing him of despicable acts and many many local businesses were harmed in their attack on me (think - 70 pizza orders to be delivered to me as well as several local businesses wasting their time chasing "false sales leads"). In addition, before I realized what was happening, photos of my children were pulled from my personal Facebook page and Photo Shopped in obscene positions and emailed to me. The Moms Need To Know Fan page was also inundated with porn before I pulled it for a few days. I survived. They thought they were going to take down some timid Soccer Mom. They didn't realize that they were dealing with perhaps the most stubborn woman ever born!
2. Living in a small town is AWESOME: since I live in an area without their own local police department, all of the emergency calls, fire calls and CPS reports seemed that these people placed went to the same State Police department. As I had already filed a police report (as well as a report with the FBI Cyber Crimes division) fairly early in the morning, nobody knocked on my door or opened a child abuse file.
3. The Frugal Blogging community is the most wonderful community out there: while everything was going on, I was in constant Skype contact with the bloggers that I link to in many of my posts. Despite the fact that the site that was attacking me goes against all forms of decency, they continued to monitor that site and give me advice on how to prevent planned "strikes" against my person and this site. When that site was talking about buying mindicherry.com and directing it to a p0rn site, another frugal blogger went in and bought every possible variation of mindicherry.com/org/net/etc. Another one of my friends went in and took care of changing my Twitter and Facebook passwords. You can't ask for more community support than that!
4. I have the best readers in the whole wide world: Enabling Comment Moderation meant that I had to read every comment that was left for me over the past 72 hours (which I should be doing anyway - but that's beside the point). And while 90% of the 500 comments this weekend were calling me vile names, the ones that were supportive made all the difference in the world. SO THANK YOU!
And that's what I learned this week. What did you learn?
Shellys
I learned you are one very strong lady!
Christina
We love all of the blood, sweat, and tears you put into this site. You help so many families stretch their buck, and in these tough economic times, it really means a lot. Keep doing what you do and know that you have tons of support from your fans!!
Linda C.
Bravo, Mindi. You go, girl! You're the best, don't let them bring you down.
clodyo
Thank you for being strong and not giving up,even during challenging times. It's unfortunate that you have to go through what you have in the past few days. Keep up the great work!
Christa
As th president of my township's neighborhood watch group the first thing that came to mind was getting the police involved! You went beyond that. You are amazing. Keep up the good work. Those people will get what's coming to them...eventually.
Benita
Sorry, you had so much trouble with your blog. I really enjoy it. It has helped me with my spending.
Heather
Wow. I didn't realize about 90% of the stuff that happened. Holy crap. I'm so sorry.
Kate
??? Seriously? Don't people have better things to do? Mindi, I love your site and can totally tell that you put everything you have into it. Thanks for all that you do and thanks for standing up for yourself / the site!
Amber
Wow, I have learned you truely are a strong woman! Way to go keeping your head up! I can't imagine what you are going threw, my families thoughts and prayers are with you!
Amber
Sorry I missed spelled through*
Jennifer Melnick Carota
"Karma is a fickle bitch"...those idiots (far too kind) will get what is coming to them. Just look at Ben...HMMM
Big Hugs and Lots of Wine,
Jen
Daisy
I learned that you rock.
Oh.
Wait.
I already knew that! You've always said you are no shrinking violet. This week you proved it. You "went to the mattresses" and came out a champ. Yay you! 😀
.-= Daisy´s last blog ..Kind words… =-.
Marilyn
I am sorry to hear of this attack on you. I LOVE all the tips and links to coupons and savings. I feel so smart when I use them to get products for less money, and sometimes even rebates or "store money" too. Hopefully they will soon be caught and have not caused you any permanent identity damage.
Good luck!
Jen @ Little Bit This n That
What the crap??!! I had no idea it was that bad. I am so sorry you had to go through this.
.-= Jen @ Little Bit This n That´s last blog ..Weekend Recap =-.
DianeScraps
I am so sorry to hear how bad this got! You are a huge positive influence in not only our local community ( I love hearing the store clerks ask if I know about momsneedtoknow.com !) but also so much further then our small town area!
.-= DianeScraps´s last blog ..The new Staples is open =-.
Stacey
I learned that you are one tough chic! Well done Mindi! Thank you for all you do.
Kristin
Wow, those are some devoted perverts. So sorry for all your trouble. Jerks.
Lena P
Oh, thank you too. You are here for us and we are here for you. I would be upset if you gave up or your site went down. I have no idea who these creatures are, but it seems like they have no life, otherwise they would be living it and not trying and destroy yours. You are very strong woman!!! And we love your every post! Your work bring positive thing to a lot of lives!
p.s. I appologize for any grammatical mistakes.
The G Family
Thank you for all you do and setting the example for all of us when times get tough. You have our support. Keep those posts, coupons and deals coming. You are needed in these tough times.
Diana
They took pictures of your kids from your Facebook page? That made my heart pound in anger! Wow, that must have been upsetting for you! I'm sorry this happened to you, Mindi. I love your blog and think you're very brave--I'm thankful for all you do for us.
Anne
I'm so sorry that you faced this sort of attack. I must be naive because I am shocked at their tactics! I'm so happy you got the help you needed from the police, FBI and the blogging community.
.-= Anne´s last blog ..Grace Update =-.
Leah
i just wanted to say i've been attacked on my blog too for my views (although NOTHING to the extent you were) some people have no decency and way too much time on their hands! i know lots of us appreciate so much what you're doing with your blog and it helps us save money and in turn, pursue our dreams. thank you again!
.-= Leah´s last blog ..Actually.....actually.... =-.
Jan
Wow, Mindi, I had no idea that you and your family were under such attack ... I'll echo what the others have said: You're an amazing, strong person and I love your blog, and I hope those folks who attacked you can't poop for a week (that was my aunt's worst curse on someone, and I think it's a pretty good one!).
MJ
These people who you've unfortunately had to deal with are truly the scum of the earth. It's so unbelieveable that some people would act like that and say such things. What is this world coming to.
Stay strong! There are so many nice people who love your site!
AnnMarie
Sure, I missed your Acme post... but I always remember your first priority is being a great Mom! You help us all, and I am deeply sorry that you had to go through all of this garbage this past week. I am thankful you have a wonderful support group and you had quick strong actions against these criminals.
Tess
I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that! Thank you for everything you do, we appreciate you
Rachel
I just wanted to say thank you. I am so sorry that you and your family had to go through all of that.
Lindsay
Unbelievable!! I don't know how this group is able to get away with this disgusting attack on you, your family, and your website when all you're doing is providing an amazingly informative and entertaining service to so many readers. I hope they get nailed by both the local and federal authorities. I didn't know that all this was going on as a result of your single bog post, which was a real eye opener to me as I had NO idea that this type of extreme fraudulent coupon usage even existed. And yes, now I can put myself in the shoes of the check out person who is scrutinizing every line of every coupon I hand over. As much as I can now see how these type of people will basically ruin the couponing for the rest of us who play by the rules, I am even more freaked out that they can hide behind the anonymity of the internet and target people like you who advocate the ethical use of coupons!
I'm in awe that you were able to keep posting throughout this whole nightmare! Good for you for fighting back!
Oh yes, I've learned this week that I love your blog- but wait- I already knew that!
Joy
So sorry to hear how extreme this all got, I will be praying for you and your family. So glad to hear that you have such an amazing group of supportive friends and family.
Saryn
Hi Mindy,
Wow, kudos to you for having the strength and courage to stand up for what you believe. I am a longtime reader and fan of your blog. I was very sorry to hear of all of the issues that this caused for you. I am very happy to hear that the blog community rallied together to support you during this time.
Saryn
Angela
I just stumbled across your site a week or two ago and instantly added it to my favorites. Then, as I began to check back throughout the week, I became disappointed that it wasn't being updated that often. Now, I understand and applaud you. Keep up the fight and keep up the blog... I hope to become a regular follower.
nicole
I read your original post and gave you a virtual high five. Then I didn't think of it again. I work for an organization that gets hit with these scammers all the time.
Thanks for all the work that you do. Your site has saved me tons and added joy to me for this "hobby" I stumbled into. Keep up the great work!!
Flamingo Mama
wow! i can't imagine!! i was attacked once verbally on my blog and i made it private because it bothered me so much! lool
I admire your courage to stay strong. I have sent a tons of friends to your site for local grocery deals. It's a huge help!! thanks and i Hope this all goes away soon!
tara thuer
OMG I have been away and just getting started with following your blog. That is so awful what happened to you.
Thank you for all you do.
Stephanie
So sorry all of this has been happening. People are so ridiculous sometimes.
Francie
You are awesome. Thank you SO much for what you do, you are helping me and my family in more ways than you know. Keep your chin up, we're here to support you!!
Keli
holy cow. Some people. I'm just glad you were aware of it! And so glad that everything is [hopefully] looking better for you now. I'm sure you already know, but, lots of prayers and thoughts are being sent your way. Thank you for all you do!!
.-= Keli´s last blog ..Free Sample of Pantene from Vocal Point - HURRY! =-.